Quantification and analysis of angiography and perfusion

ABSTRACT

A method to visualize, display, analyze and quantify angiography, perfusion, and the change in angiography and perfusion in real time, is provided. This method captures image data sequences from indocyanine green near infra-red fluorescence imaging used in a variety of surgical procedure applications, where angiography and perfusion are critical for intraoperative decisions.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/922, 996, filed Jun. 13, 2013, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/662,885, filed Jun. 21, 2012, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Variations in tissue perfusion have critically important consequences throughout medicine. This can be evident when not enough perfusion is available to keep tissues alive, when perfusion is restored to tissue after an acute event interrupting flow to that tissue, and when an additional source of blood flow, such as a bypass graft, is created to increase perfusion to the tissue supplied by a diseased vessel.

There are two general classifications of tissue perfusion variation, revascularization and devascularization.

Revascularization occurs when an intervention is performed to increase or restore blood flow to tissue, either by pharmacologic, catheter-based, or surgical interventions. The physiological benefit of successful revascularization is not only angiographic vessel patency, but in addition a demonstrable increase in tissue perfusion in the tissue supplied by flow within that vessel. In both circumstances, angiographic patency (vessel or graft) is one traditional marker of success. A more recently emerging consideration in the literature is the functional or physiologic success of revascularization, which is an index of the increase in perfusion to the tissue supplied by the vessel that was revascularized.

Devascularization is when tissue is deprived, either artificially or through a disease process, of enough blood flow and perfusion to compromise tissue viability. This can occur in a wide variety of surgical procedures, such as when tissue reconstruction flaps are created, or when a bowel tumor is removed and an anastomosis is performed. In these cases, maintenance of a normal threshold of perfusion to all parts of the tissue is critical to overall clinical procedural success, and to the avoidance of complications.

An example of revascularization that illustrates this principle is the setting of coronary artery bypass grafs (CABG). Here, where a stenotic area of narrowing in the vessel is bypassed, the increase in tissue perfusion results from a combination of flow down the bypass graft and the native vessel.

An example of devascularization that illustrates this principle is breast reconstruction after mastectomy, where removal of all or part of the breast is performed because of cancer. The remaining skin and underlying tissue needs to be stretched (“expanded”) to create a new breast; these skin and tissue edges can be devascularized in this process, resulting in wound breakdown and scar tissue formation.

In both these examples, the ability to directly assess perfusion at the time of surgery creates the opportunity to generate new, important information for decision-making. Examples include 1) measurement of the physiologic benefit of revascularization in CABG in a way quite distinctive and supplemental to angiographic graft patency alone; and 2) measurement leading to the avoidance of areas of tissue devascularization, which would decrease the incidence of complications from this surgical procedure.

Accordingly, there is a need for an analysis platform to intra-operatively visualize, display, analyze, and quantify angiography, perfusion, and the change in angiography and perfusion in real-time in tissues imaged by indocyanine green (ICG) near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence angiography technology (ICG-N I R-FA).

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Some embodiments of the present invention provide for the derivation of unique analyzed data from ICG-NIR-FA that describes simple and complex angiography and perfusion, and their combination, across multiple clinical applications of the imaging technology.

In all embodiments, we define the term Full Phase Angiography (FPA) as consisting of three phases: 1) an arterial phase, 2) a micro-vascular phase, and 3) a venous phase. More specifically, the arterial phase is an arteriographic inflow phase, 2) the micro-vascular phase is a tissue perfusion phase in between phases 1 and 3, and 3) the venous phase is the venous outflow phase.

In some embodiments, Full Phase Angiography can be derived from any ICG-NIR-FA video, if properly captured. A properly captured video in this context would be one captured according to a protocol standardized with respect to time, dosage and image parameters.

In further embodiments, it has been determined that these three phases can be captured and elucidated in essentially all applications of the ICG-NIR-FA studied clinically thus far, and should be present in all applications of the technology assessing tissue perfusion with angiography. The characteristics of the real-time video generated by the NIR-FA system will vary according to the clinical application, in terms of length and image capture characteristics, but included in each image video are data for these three phases in all application areas. Importantly, the image capture characteristics need to be optimized in order to capture data from all three phases for the subsequent analysis platform to be accurate in its application. Therefore, the specific image capture characteristics are linked to the subsequent analysis. This approach substantially reduces the need for surgeons to make subjective judgments regarding perfusion and patency.

In still other embodiments, using our discovery of these full phase angiographic characteristics in fluorescent angiography, we have developed a core analytic platform for combined angiography and perfusion analysis, using these and other embodiments described herein. The core analytic platform is the basis for all assessments of perfusion across surgical specialties.

In still other embodiments, the core platform has been and can be extended to be applicable across Clinical Application Areas studied to date, and has been designed to be extended to new Clinical Application Areas where angiography and perfusion are important for intraoperative and experimental decision-making. Examples of Clinical Application Areas, not intended to be limiting in any way, are plastic and reconstructive surgery, wound care, vascular surgery and GI surgery.

In still other embodiments, this core analytic platform and its Clinical Application Area-specific component secondary applications are based on the following principles:

1) In some embodiments, by analyzing the arterial phase, angiographic inflow can be assessed (similar to conventional angiography). However, unlike some conventional angiography studies, the real-time characteristics of this inflow under true physiologic conditions can be readily imaged, assessed and evaluated. An example of this type of analysis is the real-time, intra-operative imaging of competitive flow in the context of CABG.

2) In some embodiments, by analyzing both the arterial phase and the microvascular phase, tissue perfusion can be imaged, assessed and quantified. An example in this context is the imaging of limb perfusion in vascular surgery.

3) In some embodiments, by analyzing the venous phase, venous congestion and outflow from tissue problems can be imaged, assessed and quantified. An example in this context is the assessment of possible venous congestion in breast reconstruction surgery.

4) In some embodiments, by capturing all three phases, with the appropriate image acquisition protocol, a complete description of the combination of angiography and perfusion as applied to that clinical application setting can be acquired and analyzed in real-time. This type of analysis might be performed in the context of esophageal or GI surgery.

5) In some embodiments, by capturing all three phases, with the appropriate image acquisition protocol, this complete description of the combination of angiography and perfusion can be evaluated against important, physiologic changes in hemodynamics and/or other conditions that would affect these angiography and perfusion comparison results.

6) In some embodiments, because this NIR imaging technology allows for capture of real-time physiology and changes over time, a dynamic analysis platform is necessary to fully describe these changes over time and accurately reflect physiology. A static, single “snapshot” analytical approach can't and won't accurately describe these physiologic changes, and is not representative of the physiologic changes that are captured by this full phase angiography analysis.

In still other embodiments, each Clinical Application Area and procedure within that Clinical Application Area relies on a certain combination of phase information derived from the FPA; this combination may be relatively specific for that procedure. All Clinical Application Areas and procedures, however, rely at a minimum on information from at least two phases, emphasizing the requirement for a dynamic analytical approach.

In further embodiments, because the anatomy and physiology varies across these Clinical Application Areas, a core analytic platform has been developed with characteristics that are applicable across all applications; additions to this core analytic platform make up the specific analytical toolkits used in each of the Clinical Application Areas.

In further embodiments, because this fluorescence technology captures information in the near-infrared (NIR) spectrum, the standard display is in 255 grey scale black and white. With the development of the analysis platform, new color schemes based on the full phase angiography components have been developed to highlight the arterial, microvascular (perfusion) and venous phases differently, based on the same NIR image. An accurate depiction of the underlying physiology requires more than just the NIR black and white image display.

In still further embodiments, because in some Clinical Application Areas there is a need to evaluate perfusion to multiple anatomic areas at the same operative setting, capturing the metadata imbedded in each of the individual analyses and combining these data into 2-D and 3-D representations is an important component and attribute of the analytic platform. These representations, in turn, are best presented as dynamic displays. Solely by way of example, in the cardiac surgery context, NIR fluorescence imaging can be performed on multiple coronary artery grafts and the data can be aggregated together to produce a dynamic 3D image of the heart showing all of the grafts and the resulting changes in perfusion of the heart muscle.

It is noted that aspects of the invention described with respect to some embodiments, may be incorporated in different embodiments although not specifically described relative thereto. That is, all embodiments and/or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/or combination. These and other objects and/or aspects of the present invention are explained in detail in the specification set forth below. Further features, advantages and details of the present invention will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art from a reading of the figures and the detailed description of the embodiments that follow, such description being merely illustrative of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The patent or application file contains at least one drawing executed in color. Copies of this patent or patent application publication with color drawing(s) will be provided by the Office upon request and payment of the necessary fee.

FIG. 1 is a block flow chart diagram of how the Image Data Acquisition Protocol (IDAP) and the Image Data Sequence (IDS) are critically linked to Full Phase Angiography (FPA), in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of ICG Fluorescence imaging full phase angiography (FPA) in the cardiac application, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates full phase angiography (FPA) in the GI surgery application, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates full phase angiography (FPA) in the esophageal surgery application, according to various embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates the full phase angiography (FPA) in the context of breast reconstruction surgery in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows a definition of FPA using an average intensity vs. time curve. FIG. 6 is an idealized FPA curve indicating the necessary parameters to determine the three phases (arterial, microvascular and venous), in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block flow diagram of how different CAAs rely on the same Combined Angiography and Perfusion Analysis (CAPA) core platform, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates the combined analytical components (baseline correction, synchronization accuracy check, angiography characteristic assessment, and dynamic perfusion comparison) that are part of the CAPA core platform, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates in the cardiac application the ‘aortic root shot,” identifying an air bubble in a bypass graft attached to the ascending aorta, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 10 shows the Coronary Bypass Graft Image Protocol (CBGIP) according to various embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an illustration of the CAW (clinical application window) and CAWT (CAW target) as applied to a variety of CAAs identified thus far, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an illustration of a method for Saturation Correction, according to various embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an illustration of the static vs. dynamic analytical approach, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 14 illustrates a method for the formatting the comparative display of perfusion, applied to a segment of bowel pre and post operatively, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is an illustration of a method for synchronization according to peak fluorescence intensity, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 16 illustrates a method for Fluorescence Baseline Correction, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is an illustration of one type of Complex Angiography Analysis, namely, competitive flow, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 18 illustrates another type of Complex Angiography Analysis, namely collateral flow, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is an illustration that compares perfusion visualization with the NIR B & W (left), a standard RGB (middle), and the perfusion visualization scheme (right) used as part of the CAPA core analysis platform, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 20 illustrates the Overview Display as used in the cardiac application, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 21 A-D illustrates the CAPA core platform report format in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 21, Panel A shows the Overview Display of the synchronized IDSs in standard color display (both angiography and perfusion), in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 21, Panel B includes all the analysis results in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 21, Panel C is the Quality Report for the data and analysis in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 21, Panel D offers an explanation for the different perfusion comparison results as shown in Panel B in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 22 illustrates one application of the cumulative and additive presentation capabilities of the CAPA analysis and display in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying figures, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. The invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, phrases such as “between X and Y” and “between about X and Y” should be interpreted to include X and Y. As used herein, phrases such as “between about X and Y” mean “between about X and about Y.” As used herein, phrases such as “from about X to Y” mean “from about X to about Y.”

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the specification and relevant art and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. Well-known functions or constructions may not be described in detail for brevity and/or clarity.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “on”, “attached” to, “connected” to, “coupled” with, “contacting”, etc., another element, it can be directly on, attached to, connected to, coupled with or contacting the other element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being, for example, “directly on”, “directly attached” to, “directly connected” to, “directly coupled” with or “directly contacting” another element, there are no intervening elements present. It will also be appreciated by those of skill in the art that references to a structure or feature that is disposed “adjacent” another feature may have portions that overlap or underlie the adjacent feature.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another element, component, region, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the invention. The sequence of operations (or steps) is not limited to the order presented in the claims or figures unless specifically indicated otherwise.

As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art, embodiments of the present invention may be embodied as a method, system, data processing system, or computer program product. Accordingly, the present invention may take the form of an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, the present invention may take the form of a computer program product on a non-transitory computer usable storage medium having computer usable program code embodied in the medium. Any suitable computer readable medium may be utilized including hard disks, CD ROMs, optical storage devices, or other electronic storage devices.

Computer program code for carrying out operations of the present invention may be written in an object oriented programming language such as Matlab, Mathematica, Java, Smalltalk, C or C++. However, the computer program code for carrying out operations of the present invention may also be written in conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language or in a visually oriented programming environment, such as Visual Basic.

Certain of the program code may execute entirely on one or more of a user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a standalone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).

The invention is described in part below with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, devices, systems, computer program products and data and/or system architecture structures according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the illustrations, and/or combinations of blocks, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable memory or storage that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory or storage produce an article of manufacture including instruction means which implement the function/act specified in the block or blocks.

The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions/acts specified in the block or blocks.

FIG. 1 shows the relationship between FPA and existing ICG-NIR-FA technology. In addition to the IDAP and IDS links to the FPA, FIG. 1 illustrates the FPA phase components of Arterial, Microvascular (Perfusion), and Venous Phases. Each of the currently known Clinical Application Areas (CAA) engages a minimum of two of these phases, illustrating the need for a dynamic analysis of FPA to assess both angiography and perfusion. In addition, the FPA characteristics specific for that CAA acts as a ‘filter’ for the IDS video loops captured for analysis.

The IDSs produced are DICOM or AVI video loops of variable duration, depending upon the Clinical Application of the imaging technology. The invention is applicable to IDSs generated from ICG-NIR-FA clinical and non-clinical research applications of the imaging technology where arteriography and/or perfusion assessment is important.

FIG. 2 demonstrates the average intensity vs. time curve (one FPA cycle) of the 34 sec fluorescent angiography Image Data Sequence (IDS) video loop in the cardiac context. These data are fundamental to the Combined Angiographic and Perfusion Analysis (CAPA) core analysis platform. Five individual frames from the total of 1020 frames in the video loop are illustrated to illustrate the phases (1=baseline, 2=arterial phase, 3=micro-vascular phase, 4=venous phase, 5=residue of florescent dye). The ECG (green tracing) and BP (red tracing) from the continuous 26 cardiac cycles are shown.

FIG. 3 illustrates FPA in the GI surgery context. Here, the three FPA phases are shown as follows: panels A-D are baseline background fluorescence; panels E-G are the arterial phase; panel H is the microvascular phase; panels I-L are the venous phase. These data are fundamental to the Combined Angiographic and Perfusion Analysis (CAPA) core platform. Shown is a segment of large bowel being imaged at the time of surgery, in the near-infrared 255 grey scale black and white Overview Display format. The peak of average fluorescence intensity for this Clinical Application Window (CAW) is in panel H. Note the IDS in this case is 45 seconds.

FIG. 4 illustrates FPA in the esophageal surgical application. In similar fashion to FIG. 3, in FIG. 4 the peak of the average fluorescence intensity for this CAW is in panel H. These data are fundamental to the Combined Angiographic and Perfusion Analysis (CAPA) core analysis platform. This Overview Display uses the color scheme designed to highlight perfusion. The image data from the IDS are the same, however, regardless of the display presentation color scheme. Note the IDS in this case is 16 seconds.

FIG. 5 illustrates the FPA in the plastic surgery breast reconstruction application. As in FIG. 4, in FIG. 5 the Overview Display uses the color scheme designed to highlight perfusion, and again, the peak of average fluorescence intensity for this CAW is in Panel H. These data are fundamental to the Combined Angiographic and Perfusion Analysis (CAPA) core analysis platform. Note compared to FIG. 2-FIG. 4, the venous phase of the FPA doesn't fall, suggesting venous congestion in this breast reconstruction. Note the IDS in this case is 35 seconds.

The modeling of a generic FPA, and the modifications for its application to a specific CAA, is as follows. The definition of FPA using an average intensity over time curve is detailed in FIG. 6.

Let B1=the average baseline intensity before the arterial phase, let P=the peak intensity, and let B2=the average baseline intensity after the venous phase. The Arterial phase starting time is defined as when the average intensity first increases to

B1+(P-B1)×k1   Equation 1

And the Arterial phase ending time is defined as when the average intensity first increases to

B1+(P-B1)×k2   Equation 2

Where k1 is a percentage defining the beginning of arterial phase (e.g. 5%), and k2 is a percentage defining the ending of the arterial phase (e.g. 95%).

The Venous phase starting time is defined as when the average intensity first decreases to

B2+(P-B2)×k3   Equation 3

And the Venous phase ending time is defined as when the average intensity first decreases to

B2+(P-B2)×k4   Equation 4

Where k3 is a percentage defining the beginning of arterial phase (e.g. 95%), and k4 is a percentage defining the ending of the arterial phase (e.g. 5%).

The Micro-vascular phase is defined as when the average intensity ranges between

B1+(P-B1)×k2   Equation 5

and

B2 +(P-B2)×k3   Equation 6

nearby the peak.

The percentages will be somewhat different across different CAAs. The collection and analysis of clinical data is used to validate these percentages and to increase the specificity of these percentage values for each CAA utilization of the FPA ‘filter.’

FIG. 7 illustrates the Core Platform and all its component parts, including the FPA, the CAW/CAWT, the synchronization, and the analysis and results reporting. In FIG. 7, on the left side, sequential IDSs are obtained, ‘filtered’ through the same FPA intensity vs. time curve, synchronized, and matched according to the same Clinical Application Window (CAW). This process allows for a post- vs. pre-comparison between two IDSs to quantify the perfusion change. On the right, a single IDS in a different CAA can be ‘filtered’ with the FPA, and within the same CAW two different targets (CAWTs) (usually different areas) can be compared after synchronization, using the same core platform. The result output from the CAPA core platform analysis is then formatted specifically for the appropriate CAA.

FIG. 7 illustrates how the FPA acts as a ‘filter’ for the IDS data in particular CAAs. In some CAAs, an angiographic and perfusion comparison is made by comparing two (or more) sequential IDSs (left side of diagram), as for example before and after coronary bypass grafting. It is important that these two IDSs be captured using the same Image Data Acquisition Protocol (IDAP), and are ‘filtered’ with the same, CAA-specific FPA. Furthermore, the Clinical Application Window (CAW) for both needs to be the same, that is, the camera window and position of the camera (CAW) needs to be consistent between the two IDSs. This illustrates the need for a detailed and specific IDAP, since this CAW application cannot occur accurately if the IDAP generated two IDS s with different CAW information. More importantly, in the next step the core CAPA analysis cannot be reliably executed and a quantitative analysis comparison performed if this CAW isn't equally applied to both IDS +FPA datasets.

FIG. 7 also shows a different CAA on the right, where comparative angiography and perfusion information is derived from a single IDS (such as the GI CAA). In this instance, the CAA-specific FPA ‘filter’ information is applied to two or more Clinical Application Window Targets; a target can be a specific area or region of the CAW (see FIG. 11), and can be manually selected or automatically selected by the FPA, and then analyzed with the platform.

Importantly, the IDS synchronization step occurs before the CAW/CAWT step, to avoid comparing data that are inadequate for analysis.

The Results of the analysis are reported in a format that is most applicable to the specific CAA, to assist the surgeon with new, real-time information in the operating room with which to make better decisions and decrease the incidence of complications.

FIG. 8 illustrates the unique attributes of this analysis platform. These include: 1) baseline correction algorithm; 2) synchronization validation; 3) saturation correction; 4) CAW/CAWT component application(s); 5) angiography analyses (where applicable); and 6) the dynamic and quantitative perfusion comparison(s). Importantly, this CAPA is a dynamic, as opposed to static, analysis platform, accurately reflecting the underlying physiology as captured in the FPA construct. It contains in addition the following attributes: 1) a dynamic analysis of both angiography and perfusion in the same construct; 2) real-time, intraoperative image analysis capabilities, based on unmodified image data captured with the ICG Fluorescence system; 3) built-in image data quality checks and evaluation processes with which to frame the analysis results; 4) image and analytical results displays that reflect the concept and principles of FPA as critical to understanding and visualizing the underlying physiology being studied and evaluated during these surgical procedures; and 5) real-time 2-D and 3-D displays of the analyzed data for rapid, visual-based documentation of the analytical results, some in the format of a dynamic movie. Additionally, the CAPA analysis and display can be used for new and technologically-sophisticated information documentation in healthcare. This includes information sharing among healthcare professionals and with patients and their families, in which the dynamic visualization of the revascularization and/or devascularization conditions of the surgical procedure can be displayed. In addition, this CAPA infrastructure creates the opportunity for longitudinal analysis of the metadata contained in the analyzed information.

In FIG. 8, some of these combined analytical components (baseline correction, synchronization accuracy check, angiography characteristic assessment, and dynamic perfusion comparison) are used across all CAAs; others are specifically emphasized for other CAAs because of the underlying physiology being imaged. The IDS Quality check was placed post-analysis, so as not to place the surgeon in the position of having no analysis generated following data acquisition; however, if the IDS(s) do not meet the data quality checks, assuring that the IDAP was adhered to and that other physiological conditions were met as well, the Report will contain and Error Warning indicating that the following image quality metrics were not met.

Fluorescence angiography relies on low-energy, NIR laser excitation of ICG in blood vessels and perfused tissues, with capture of the intensity of fluorescence based upon the ICG infrared absorption and emission spectra. Importantly and in addition, imaging and its interpretation are influenced by a number of physiologic and/or pathophysiologic circumstances. The imaging data are captured as standard AVI and/or DICOM video loops at 30 fps, which can be directed imported into the core analytical platform. These standard image formats make the analytical platform widely applicable from a technical perspective. The frame rate was accounted for in the development of the CAPA core platform, as it limits the fidelity of the image analysis. An example of this is shown in FIG. 21 A, where the “movement” in the images on the Display results from the movement of the heart exceeding the frame rate of the camera at that point in the IDS video.

The known behavior of ICG dye in the blood has established that on the first pass through the heart, the fluorescence intensity is proportional to the concentration of ICG, which in turn is directly related to the injected dose. This allows for tailoring of the ICG dosage/injection for specific Clinical Application Areas and procedures within those areas. Importantly, this behavior also creates the possibility of fluorescence saturation, where the quantification of the intensity exceeds the 0-255 scale. This creates a problem of being unable to quantify how much greater than 255 the actual fluorescence intensity actually is; this is particularly a problem in other ICG-NIR-FA analysis approaches. As demonstrated, the CAPA analysis accounts for saturation correction when it does occur.

The known behavior of ICG dye as a bolus injection, with or without a saline flush, allows for specific detailing of how the ICG injection should be administered in order to optimize image quality. This understanding has specific importance in those CAAs where the angiography analysis is of particular relevance. The ICG bolus stays relatively undispersed as it passes through the central cardiac circulation, and ultimately out to the peripheral tissue microvasculature. Even at this anatomic location extremely distant physiologically from the heart, the FPA and its phase components can be readily identified in the ICG-NIR-FA IDS sequences. This documented discovery creates the opportunity to establish the CAPA core platform as an independent claim applicable across all ICG-NIR-FA applications involving angiography and perfusion. Now and in the future, supplemental analytical components that are specific to the existing and new CAAs can and will be developed as dependent claims.

The known behavior of ICG dye in blood and in circulation is fundamental to this imaging technology and analysis. ICG binds to the circulating proteins in serum, and to endothelial proteins attached to the inner surface of arterial and venous blood vessels. The half-life of ICG in humans is about 3 minutes, and the dye is metabolized by the liver and excreted in the kidney. Because the surface area on the venous side of the circulation is so much greater than the arterial side, there is more endothelial binding on the venous side, creating residual fluorescence, which typically is ‘washed out’ in 4-5 minutes after an injection. As demonstrated, our discovery and analysis of FPA, however, led to the understanding of how to deal with residual, background fluorescence in a physiologically-accurate manner that meets the time frame for this imaging technology to be adopted and used clinically by surgeons during complex operative procedures.

As with any imaging technology, image data acquisition is key to sustained, successful analysis across multiple providers in multiple settings. The standardization of these image acquisition parameters for each Clinical Application Area is critical for the analysis claim of the invention to be used appropriately and for the results to be used accurately in the clinical setting. As related to the invention, it is critically important that the image acquisition process for each CAA enables the complete capture of the FPA information, which is, as demonstrated, a key component for the CAPA platform analysis of angiography and perfusion in that CAA, and that surgical procedure.

We have defined the term Image Data Sequence (IDS) as the captured video loop with all the imbedded metadata. This IDS may be of variable duration, depending upon the application. As shown in FIG. 7, the use and management of the IDS is specific for each CAA.

We have defined the term Image Data Acquisition Protocol (IDAP) as the specific, step-by-step process of coordinated capture of the IDS. This includes: 1) machine setup and positioning of the field of view, specific to the application and procedure; 2) the dosage, administration route and timing of administration of the ICG fluorescent dye coupled with management of the data capture software on the ICG Fluorescence machine; and 3) any specific technical, clinical or hemodynamic management processes necessary for optimization of the IDAP.

In addition, there are specific subset applications of the IDAP, depending upon the relative predominance of the arterial, microvascular and venous phases in that particular CAA and surgical procedure application. In these cases, the IDAP needs to be designed and executed so as to assure the time frame of data capture encompasses the necessary FPA spectrum. For example, in a CAA that is dependent upon the arterial phase, starting the video capture without a stable baseline makes a comparative analysis unfeasible. Similarly, truncating the video capture, or moving the machine, or shining the surgeon's headlight into the field, before the necessary venous phase information is captured creates an analytical problem. The specific IDAP must reflect a very real understanding of the FPA, its principles, and the CAPA platform.

In certain CAAs, specific IDAPs are developed for imaging purposes specific to either angiography or perfusion. For example, in the cardiac application, at the end of the revascularization procedure, with the heart in the anatomic position in the mediastinum, the ‘aortic root shot” is obtained, to illustrate flow and subjective rate of flow down the graft conduits, and to assess the anastomoses constructed to the ascending aorta, and to identify subtle technical issues (air bubble, low flow rate vs. other grafts) (FIG. 9).

As is demonstrated in FIG. 9, this bubble could not have been recognized without ICG-NIR-FA imaging, and was aspirated before it could embolize down the bypass graft to the heart and cause heart damage.

Also in certain CAAs, intraoperative techniques have been developed to specifically facilitate IDS capture in a framework that enables subsequent analysis. For example, in the cardiac application, we have determined that the most reliable approach to consistent angiography and perfusion analysis is the following Coronary Bypass Graft Image Protocol (CBGIP) (FIG. 10). In FIG. 10, the CBGIP sequence consists of: a) graft anastomosis construction; b) first IDS acquisition with a soft-jawed clamp on the bypass conduit (“dog on”) to assess visually native coronary flow and perfusion to confirm that the native circulation has not been interrupted by the anastomosis, reflux up the bypass conduit as an index of anastomotic patency, and any other technical issues (air bubble, dissection flap in epicardial coronary artery); c) saving the first IDS image with removal of the soft-jawed clamp from the graft conduit; then d) second IDS acquisition with both the native coronary flow and graft flow together. In this way, all of the following FPA-derived and related important information can be captured by adhering to the IDAP, CAA-specific protocol: 1) visual assessment of evidence for adequate flow down the conduit; 2) the presence of competitive flow between the native and graft conduits; 3) the briskness of washout of ICG-blood from the graft conduit; 4) any other technical issues (air bubble, poor outflow, dye ‘hang up’ at the anastomosis); and 5) the subsequent CAPA platform analyses.

FIG. 10 illustrates the important connectivity between the present invention(s) of the FPA and CAPA analysis platform, and the methodology for collecting the ICG-NIR-FA image data. These two processes must be aligned by the clinical/experimental providers to optimize the accuracy and fidelity of the analytical and display results, as is the case with any imaging and analytical technologies.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 7, the CAPA platform extends across all the CAAs identified thus far. Moreover, since the principle of FPA embodiments has been identified in all applications of ICG-NIR-FA thus far studied, we expect that it will apply to any ICG-NIR-FA application area where angiography and perfusion are critically important. The dynamic and flexible nature of the FPA in this context is reflected in various embodiments of the embodiments in the present invention(s).

We define the image area to which the FPA ‘filter’ intensity vs. time curve is applied as the Clinical Application Window (CAW), and/or to a sub-set of this window, termed the Clinical Application Window Target (CAWT).

FIG. 11 is an illustration of the CAW and CAWT as applied to a variety of CAAs identified thus far. As shown in FIG. 11, the CAWT can be selected automatically (as in cardiac by the analysis algorithm) or manually.

This CAW is the area of clinical interest for imaging, and will be variable from application to application, but as shown in FIG. 7 the core CAPA platform uses information from this CAW to further define the parameters of the analysis beyond the FPA ‘filter,’ and to make sure that the comparisons being made are accurate and reflective of the underlying physiology.

The CAWT can be individual image pixels in a CAW, a certain selection and/or identified grouping of pixels, or an anatomic subset of the CAW as defined by the clinical application. The target can be manually selected, or automatically computer generated. The physiology of arterial flow and perfusion predicts that different CAWTs will, at any point in time, have different intensity vs. time curve characteristics.

Because the opportunity inherent in FPA and the CAPA is a dynamic analysis that reflects physiology, an important observational finding present in all CAAs studied thus far and critical for the analytical platform is that the predominant blood supply source engages the tissue being imaged be identified. This allows identification of a proximal (nearest to the blood supply origin) and a distal end (farthest away from the proximal end). The perfusion analysis must account for the entirety of the arterial and micro vascular phases in real time rather than just a single static frame from the image sequence. As mentioned, if the CAWT is defined as a certain selection and/or identified grouping of pixels in a CAW, during a single ICG injection that selection/grouping of pixels image arterial, micro-vascular and venous phases of full phase angiography. For that pixel CAWT and for the CAW as a whole, the image characteristics are very different from phase to phase. Since adjacent CAWT will have different characteristics, these differences in intensity and time can be used to derive comparative and contrasting data throughout the CAW.

Due to the limitations of 8-bit cameras, the intensity of fluorescence measurement in any IDS is limited to 255. At times, based on physiological or pathophysiologic circumstances, the same dose and concentration of ICG dye could in theory create saturation (intensity>255) in the IDS for part of the sequence. This saturation effect has been observed, especially with multiple injections, and this might jeopardize the accuracy of the perfusion comparison. To address this, we created an algorithm to estimate “real” intensity of the saturated pixels from the image histogram and approximate their distribution above intensity 255 by estimating the distribution of the pixels with intensity smaller than 255. Their geographical locations can be also estimated using non-saturated frames previous to the saturated frame.

FIG. 12 illustrates the method for saturation correction. In this figure, the blue color curve is the histogram of a saturated still frame and the red color curve is the estimated intensity distribution of the saturated pixels.

In FIG. 13, for this example, the fluorescence progresses from left to right of this large bowel IDS. The same IDS and data are shown in both panels (note the intensity vs. time curves). The CAW is the segment of large bowel, and the CAWTs are each of the green linear points along the long axis. The blue line is the intensity vs time curve for the red reference point at the extreme left; the red line is the intensity vs time curve for the farthest right green box. The static black line (at 33 sec on the top panel, and at 41 sec on the bottom panel) represent what would be ‘static snapshots’ taken at these two points in this dynamic imaging an analysis process. At the 33 second mark on the top panel, the fluorescence wavefront has reached the left part of the bowel (blue curve»red curve) so the intensities of the right side the bowel are smaller compared to the left side. At the 42 second mark on the bottom panel, the fluorescence wave front has passed the left part of the bowel and reached right part (red curve»blue curve); the fluorescence intensities of the left side are now relatively smaller compared to the right side.

The same imaged segment of large bowel is analyzed to emphasize this point. The bowel segment takes 12 seconds to perfuse the left-sided CAWT reference point (red box) to the CAWT point on the far right. The blue curve is the intensity vs time curve for the left-sided CAWT, and the red curve is the right-sided CATW. In the top panel, if a static reference point is chosen (black line at 46 sec), then the red CATW is higher than the blue CATW, reflected by the normalized percentage of 156% for this point. However, on the bottom panel, if the reference point is chosen at the 32 second point, a completely different normalize result occurs, despite the fact that the same blue CATW reference was used in both analyses. The visual appearance of the dynamic image sequence is dependent upon these physiologic arteriography and perfusion characteristics, depending on which part of the tissue the fluorescent wave front will reach first.

Only by synchronizing these CAWT curves by some parameter (time, distance) can the perfusion of different part of tissue can be quantified and validly compared in a dynamic manner. FIG. 14 illustrates this same principle with the analytical output from the CAPA. As shown in FIG. 14, on the upper Left are the average intensity vs. time curves; as applied to this GI large bowel evaluation, there is an 11-sec delay between the CAWC on the lower Left panel (blue oval) and the CAWC on the right panel (red oval), pre-synchronization. In this case, the fluorescence intensity of the CAWC on the right panel is less than 50% of the CAWC on the left panel, as shown by the green line in the upper right panel. This is also displayed by the relative perfusion bar data in the upper middle, where the ‘post-graft’ right panel of 0.42 is compared to the normalized value of 1 for the left (pre-graft) value.

Also as shown here in FIG. 14, at first glance there appears to be a substantial difference between these two CAWTs in this bowel segment, where the ‘quantified perfusion’ to the right (red) CATW is 0.42, compared to the normalized value of 1.0 for the left CAWT. Because this analysis result didn't include the synchronization step, however, these results are invalid. Our definition of FPA provides the basis to synchronize the ICG dye fluorescence peak in different parts of the tissue, at different times and combinations of arterial microvascular, and venous phases of angiography and perfusion, as appropriate.

Therefore, for a valid perfusion comparison, the corresponding phases have to be accurately aligned by a common parameter, whether the comparison is between different IDS s with the same CAW, or between different CAWCs within the CAW, derived from a single IDS (FIG. 7). This synchronization of phases, possible only with the recognition of the multiple phases in the FAP embodiments. Importantly, this recognition and incorporation of the FPA embodiments also greatly improves the visual display as well as the analysis.

An illustration of a method for synchronization is shown in FIG. 15. This figure is an illustration of using the FPA cycle average intensity vs. time curves to synchronize two IDS obtained with the appropriate IDAP. The blue curve is pre-grafting, while the red curve is post-grafting. Synchronization is based on the peak fluorescence intensity for the CAW, or for each component of the CAW. Top panel: average intensity vs. time curves of Pre (blue) and post (red) IDSs before synchronization; bottom panel: average intensity vs. time curves of Pre (blue) and post (red) IDSs after synchronization.

The effect of curve synchronization impacts on both analysis and display components of CAPA. Using average intensity vs. time curves, a correlation coefficient is calculated at each alignment time position and the largest correlation coefficient yields the optimal synchronization result. The extra segments in the beginning and/or end of the IDSs will be truncated. Therefore a fundamental principle of this present invention(s) is that the intensity vs time curve is the basis for synchronization of the phases of FPA.

This venous residual creates the need to account for residual fluorescence in any type of comparative analysis. In this core analytical platform, we define the baseline as described in FIG. 6 and the present disclosure. The management solution inherent in the CAPA platform allows for accounting of the residual fluorescence when sequential injections are compared, and/or when multiple injections are used during a procedure. Moreover, this solution allows for the data capture and analysis to be performed in a time-frame that is critical for surgeons collecting image data in real time during complex surgical procedures.

During multiple ICG-NIR-FA dye injections, the residue of dye accumulates and images acquired later tend to be brighter than the previous ones, mostly due to binding in the venules.

To investigate how residue of fluorescent dye from the previous injection affects intensity of the current IDS, we performed multiple sequential, paired IDSs without any change to the tissue or position of the camera. Since these two IDSs are recorded under same physiologic and CAW conditions, by studying their average intensity vs. time curves the optimal baseline management strategy was developed.

In FIG. 16, the top panel is an illustration of average intensity vs. time curves of the pre (blue color) and post (red color) fluorescence IDSs. The bottom panel is an illustration of baseline difference between average intensity vs. time curves of the pre and post IDSs.

Importantly, from FIG. 16 we can tell that baseline difference between two CAWS/CAWTs is not constant across the IDS acquisition window. As the FPA average intensity vs. time curve is increasing and approaching the peak intensity, the baseline difference keeps decreasing. Based on these observations, we use Equation 7 to estimate the change of the baseline fluorescence intensity difference over the IDS time:

$\begin{matrix} {{{BD}\left( {x,y,t} \right)} = {{C\left( {x,y} \right)} \times \frac{\sqrt{{AIC}_{post}(0)}}{\sqrt{{AIC}_{post}(t)}}}} & {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} 7} \end{matrix}$

Where BD is the baseline difference between pre and post IDSs with x, y as pixel coordinates and t as time; C(x, y) is the constant background difference between pre and post images estimated from the first few seconds of the IDSs; AlC_(post)(t) is the average intensity curve of the post image acquisition and

$\frac{\sqrt{{AIC}_{post}(0)}}{\sqrt{{AIC}_{post}(t)}}$

is used to adjust the baseline difference across time. From FIG. 16 we can tell that treating vArcp_(os)at) the baseline line difference as a constant will lead to “over subtraction” causing loss of useful signal from the post image acquisition sequence.

Examples of two important novel paradigms are documented herein. These are 1) the ability to recognize and document arterial-phase competitive flow between native and grafted sources of blood flow under physiologic conditions, and 2) the ability to recognize microvascular-phase collateral flow in adjacent and/or related areas of perfused tissues.

In FIG. 17, visual documentation of competitive flow between a native epicardial coronary artery and a patent bypass graft to that artery, beyond what was thought to be a flow-limiting stenosis is presented. The physiology-based and dynamic analysis using the FPA embodiment makes the documentation of competitive and potentially-significant competitive flow identification at CABG a reality for the first time.

Competitive flow is currently most appropriately understood in the context of the arterial phase of FPA, although extension into the microvascular phase is being examined. FIG. 17 shows documentation of competitive flow in man in real time at CABG. This figure clearly illustrates the reversal of flow between the native coronary and the widely patent bypass graft in early and late systole that is diagnostic of competitive flow. In these sequential frames from the IDS separated by 24 sec intervals, there is washout of the ICG+ blood in the native coronary by the blood without ICG from the graft; the competition also causes the ICG+ blood to reflux back across the anastomosis into the distal end of the bypass graft. This is new and very important information to now have available in real time, at the setting of surgical revascularization.

In, FIG. 18 visual documentation and quantification of the effect of collateral flow in the heart as a result of bypass grafts and increases in perfusion to territories supplying the collateral flow, is presented. The top panel shows the comparison of the two, sequential IDS s, pre-grafting (left) and post-grafting (right). The bottom panel is the quantification display (see FIG. 21A for full explanation of the display). Note, in this case there was a 2.5-fold increase in the inferior wall of the heart as a result of bypass grafts placed to the anterior and lateral walls. The ability to use ICG-NIR-FA to capture and then to analyze these images to document in real-time this collateral flow is dependent upon the FPA embodiment.

Collateral flow is currently most appropriately understood in the context of the microvascular phase of FPA. Again the cardiac application is used as an example, in part because the heart is typically able to develop collaterals with non-acute, regional occlusions of the blood supply to a territory of the heart. FIG. 18 shows collateral flow imaged in real time in man at CABG. The top panel shows the same CAW from two sequential IDSs; the CAW is imaging the inferior wall of the heart, before and after placing bypass grafts to the anterior and lateral walls of the heart. The left panel images the native coronary perfusion to the inferior wall (with the grafts temporarily occluded), while the right panel images the inferior wall, with the grafts to the anterior and lateral walls open and perfusing their respective territories. Visually, there is a substantial increase in fluorescence and hence perfusion to this inferior wall as a result of these bypass grafts; this increase in perfusion comes from collateral flow from the anterior and lateral territories to the inferior territory in this patient's heart. The bottom panel shows the CAPA platform analysis and quantification of the perfusion difference before and after bypass grafting. There was a 2.5-fold increase in perfusion to the inferior wall as a result of this collateral perfusion increase. This is new and very important information to have available in real time, at the setting of surgical revascularization.

The CAPA perfusion quantification is a relative measurement based on a comparison, as illustrated in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8. To increase the sensitivity of the analysis results, only pixels with intensity above certain value are used to estimate relative perfusion. The still frame located at the peak of the average intensity vs. time curve in one IDS is used to determine this threshold by

k=mean(I _(max))+m×std(I _(max))   Equation 8

Where '_(max) is the still frame that has the maximum average intensity in one IDS; mean is the average function; std is the standard deviation function; m is a constant parameter between 0-1 to adjust this Equation 8. The threshold k is used in one or several IDSs depending on the application and only pixels with intensity above the value are used in the perfusion calculation. The arterial phase of IDS records perfusion as a process of blood being delivered by arteries to the tissue. Correspondingly, this process starts from the beginning (baseline part) to the peak (maximum) of the average intensity vs. time curve. Visually, this process includes arterial and part of micro vascular phases in the IDS. We are assuming not only the Verfusion strength” (corresponds to the average intensity above the threshold) but also the Verfusion area” (corresponds to the number of the pixels with intensity above the threshold) should be included in estimation of the perfusion level. Equation 9 is applied in all the still frames of the IDSs till the maximum of the average intensity curve is reached.

Al(t)=Num(I(x, y, t)>k)×mean(I(x, y, t)>k)   Equation 9

Where Al is a number representing combination of perfusion strength and area at time t. 1(x, y, t) is a still frame at one time location of an IDS; Num is the function to calculate the number of pixels; mean is the average function.

Then we estimate the accumulation effect of the Al (t) from the beginning (baseline part) to the peak (maximum) of the average intensity vs. time curve as

$\begin{matrix} {{A\; 1(T)} = {\sum\limits_{0}^{T}\left\lbrack {{A\; 1(t)} - {A\; 1(0)}} \right\rbrack}} & {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} 10} \end{matrix}$

Where T is any time at the peak (maximum); Al (0) is the residue from baseline. In the cardiac application we calculate this area-intensity value in sequential IDSs of the same CAW tissue area. In other CAAs identified thus far, we calculate this area-intensity value relatively across two or more CAWTs identified in one CAW identified in one IDS.

Notice that this is a relative value in both cases, and it does not reflect the estimation of perfusion directly. In the cardiac application, to estimate the perfusion change, we normalized the post area-intensity value by the pre one by

$\begin{matrix} {{A\; 1} = \frac{A\; 1(T)_{post}}{A\; 1(T)_{pre}}} & {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} 11} \end{matrix}$

In the other CAAs identified thus far, to estimate the perfusion change, we normalize the current CAWT by the reference CAWT

$\begin{matrix} {{A\; 1} = \frac{A\; 1(T)_{{CAWT} - {current}}}{A\; 1(T)_{{CAWT} - {ref}}}} & {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} 12} \end{matrix}$

The opportunity inherent in FPA and CAPA extends to image and image analysis display. The NIR part of the spectrum is outside the visible color spectrum, and therefore is inherently a black and white, 255-level grey scale image. This is actually quite sufficient for imaging the arterial phase of full phase imaging, but is not optimal or optimized for microvascular or venous phase imaging. We have developed different color schemes to optimize the display for combined (arteriography and perfusion) display using a modified RGB format, and for the microvascular (perfusion) image display and analysis. This in turn means that in many CAAs combination of displays of the same NIR image data is optimal for understanding the context and content of the image(s) and analyses for decision-making.

As illustrated in FIG. 19, our experience has demonstrated that the NIR is more optimized for angiography, the RGB presentation is more optimized for BOTH angiography and perfusion, and the BI-YR-G-B-W display is optimized for perfusion. On the top panel is shown a segment of large colon. On the bottom panel is shown is a segment of stomach used to create a neo-esophagus in the esophageal application (same as FIG. 4).

FIG. 19 also shows the comparison of these three displays. It is important to understand that these displays all render the same image metadata; the NIR B & W is the ‘raw’ NIR presentation; the same image data are simply colorized according to the different 0-255 scales, optimized for combined (arterial and perfusion) and microvascular (perfusion) presentation and display. Specifically the perfusion display range is black, yellow, orange, red, green, blue and white for intensity of fluorescence ranging from 0-255. Comparably, the NIR grey scale and other RGB-based ranges are too narrow between the low and high intensities that they are not visually sensitive enough to reflect the subtle but important perfusion changes.

We also designed an Overview Display as a unique way to visualize the IDS+FPA data. In FIG. 20, this Overview Display compares pre-grafting perfusion with post-grafting perfusion, after synchronization of the two IDSs. Panel H in each sequence again reflects the peak average intensity in the two CAWS, which by design and by the Image Data Acquisition Protocol (focusing on both Angiography and Perfusion) used in cardiac, image the same area on the anterior perfusion territory of the heart. In this case, an internal mammary artery was grafted to the left anterior descending coronary artery. Note the obvious increase in fluorescence intensity in the panel H post-grafting (bottom) compared to pre-grafting (panel H, top). The quantified difference in fluorescence intensity is directly proportional to the difference in myocardial perfusion.

However, as previously articulated, to visually capture the inference of the FPA and CAPA construct requires that two points can be accurately compared. As depicted in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, (colon), however, we CANNOT use time alone to establish this comparison. Therefore this Overview Display uses the same IDS synchronization described above to accurately provide this intuitive visual comparison. The frame in the red box (labeled H) represents the peak intensity on the average intensity vs. time curve, which corresponds to the micro vascular phase. The frames before it (labeled from A to G) are the baseline and arterial phase and the frames after it are the venous phase and the fluorescent dye residue; each frame is separated by 1.5 sec from the peak, in either direction. This display is physiologically organized, and because of the synchronization technique is possible to reliably make visual comparisons to accompany the CAPA platform analyses. This same principle is used in the analysis display.

FIG. 21, panels A-D, show the display format as applied to the cardiac CAA. There are four components to the analysis presentation. Panel A comes up first, and is the Overview Display discussed above. Panel B is the Quantified result display.

In FIG. 21, Panel A is the Overview Display of the synchronized IDSs in standard color display (both angiography and perfusion). The pre images are in the upper panel and post images are in the lower one (see synchronization section for details). Compare the fluorescence intensity in the panels labeled H, top vs. bottom. There is visually much more fluorescence intensity post-grafting than pre-grafting to the perfused territory supplied by this grafted vessel on the anterior wall of the heart.

FIG. 21, Panel B, includes all the analysis results. In the upper left hand corner are displayed the synchronized average intensity vs. time curves with time line indicating the peaks. The left and right bottom panels correspond to the colorized pre- and post-images at the peak of the curves with time labels on the upper left hand corners. Note these time labels are identical, indicating the time synchronization between the pre- and post-images is based on peak intensity, even though the image sequences are not synchronized based on the cardiac cycle. The two bars on the upper panel are calculated from the accumulated area and intensity curves. The pre-graft perfusion status is represented by the blue colored bar, which is always normalized to one for comparison to the post graft perfusion status, represented by the red color bar. To better illustrate the quantification of change in perfusion over time, and to illustrate the contribution of the bypass graft, the perfusion changes over time are generalized in the chart at the upper right hand corner with blue, red and green color curves representing the accumulated perfusion changes over time caused by native, native plus graft and bypass graft respectively. Also shown in Panel B is the final quantification result at 13.4 sec, which is the time point of peak fluorescence. Finally, the pre-graft perfusion level is normalized to 1, for comparison to the post-graft perfusion (in this case, 1.28) in a bar chart format.

FIG. 21, Panel C is the Quality Report for the data and analysis. This includes all the quality criteria that each IDS is subjected to in order to further support and validate the CAPA results. If there is an IDS quality issue, the error warning message displays on this page and on Page B as well, to avoid misinterpretation of the results.

FIG. 21, Panel D provides Explanation data, including Error Warning feedback on the Data Quality check.

An additional opportunity inherent in the FPA and CAPA invention is to analyze angiography and perfusion as a dynamic process, rather than assuming that a selected static image accurately represents these physiologic processes. In some CAAs, multiple CAWS (for example, bypass grafts to the anterior, lateral and inferior territories of the heart) can be captured and analyzed individually; following this, the CAPA analysis metadata can be combined into 2-D and 3-D reconstructions to more accurately display the physiologic effects of perfusion increases or decreases, reperfusion, and/or devascularization.

The importance of this component of the present invention is in the ability to modify the CAPA core analysis display capabilities to specifically represent the critical information display that is necessary to optimize real-time decision-making by the surgeons in the operating room. The display results must be entirely accurate, intuitively presented, and simple enough to be grasped and understood in a visual display format from across the operating room.

As an example of this display capability, we can use the cardiac application of the 3-D model for revascularization-induced change in myocardial perfusion (FIG. 22). We typically measure the perfusion change in anterior, lateral and inferior territories of the heart after a 3-vessel CABG procedure. We can map the perfusion change onto each specific territory of the 3D heart model, along with the corresponding grafts. This creates a complete physiologic picture (combined anatomic and functional changes as a result of CABG), illustrating the global change in myocardial perfusion that results from the illustrated grafts after CABG. We use colorization to represent the results of perfusion analysis in each different territory, derived from the individual perfusion analyses obtained on a per-graft basis. In our methodology, we can visualize anatomy (3D structure of the heart and grafts) and physiology (perfusion change in each different area of the heart in color representation) at the same time.

As an image analysis platform, it is necessary to be able to assess the quality of the IDSs for subsequent analysis. This is part of the analytical platform, and consists of the IDS Image Quality Test (FIG. 8) As discussed, the validity of the perfusion analysis depend on if IDAP criteria has been met. Practically, in clinical setting sometimes a case failed the IDAP standard might go unnoticed and the following invalid analysis result could be confusing and misleading. To prevent this, quality of IDS is examined before the final report is generated. The following components of the Image Data Quality are automatically tested:

Baseline Test

-   -   a. Check if baseline is smooth enough.     -   b. In cardiac application, baseline of post graft image should         be larger than the one of pre graft image.

Timing test

-   -   c. If image acquisition starts too late thus arterial phase gets         truncated.     -   d. If image acquisition ends too early thus venous phase gets         truncated.

Brightness test

-   -   e. Check if image is too dark.     -   f. Check if image gets saturated.

IDS overall quality test

-   -   g. Check the shape and smoothness of the average intensity over         time curve. The quality of the curve could be potentially         compromised by external factors such as fluorescence from the         lung or contamination from the headlight.

The foregoing is illustrative of the present invention and is not to be construed as limiting thereof. Although a few exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses, where used, are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. Therefore, it is to be understood that the foregoing is illustrative of the present invention and is not to be construed as limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and that modifications to the disclosed embodiments, as well as other embodiments, are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. The invention is defined by the following claims, with equivalents of the claims to be included therein. 

1. A method for visualizing blood flow in tissue before and after a surgical intervention, the method comprising: receiving a first image data sequence comprising a plurality of fluorescence images of the tissue before the surgical intervention, wherein the first image data sequence encompasses at least one full phase angiography cycle of blood flow through the tissue; receiving a second image data sequence comprising a plurality of fluorescence images of the tissue after the surgical intervention, wherein the second image data sequence encompasses at least one full phase angiography cycle of blood flow through the tissue; synchronizing the first and second image data sequences based on peak fluorescence intensities of average intensity vs. time curves of the first and second image data sequences to align at least a portion of the full phase angiography cycle of the first image data sequence with the corresponding portion of the full angiography cycle of the second image data sequence; and displaying the synchronized image data sequences on a display.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the vessel is a coronary artery bypass graft.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the tissue is selected from the group consisting of myocardium during revascularization, breast tissue during reconstruction and bowel tissue during anastomosis.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the full phase angiography cycle of blood flow comprises an arterial phase, a microvascular phase, and a venous phase.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein synchronizing the first and second image data sequences comprises correlating, between the first and second image data sequences, at least one of the arterial phase, microvascular phase, and venous phase.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein synchronizing the first and second image data sequences comprises calculating a correlation coefficient at each alignment time position and synchronizing the first and second image data based on the largest correlation coefficient.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the tissue is a blood vessel, the method further comprising determining relative blood flow in the blood vessel before and after the surgical intervention, based on the synchronized image data sequences.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein determining relative blood flow comprises comparing relative fluorescence intensity between the synchronized first and second image data sequences.
 9. The method of claim 7, wherein determining relative fluorescence intensity comprises estimating a change of baseline fluorescence intensity difference over the synchronized image data sequences, and adjusting the synchronized image data sequences based on the change in baseline fluorescence intensity.
 10. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining relative perfusion in the tissue before and after the surgical intervention, based on the synchronized image data sequences.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein determining relative perfusion in the tissue comprises estimating the perfusion level based on average fluorescence intensity above a threshold.
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein determining relative perfusion in the tissue further comprises estimating the number of image pixels having fluorescence intensity above the threshold.
 13. A system for visualizing blood flow in tissue before and after a surgical intervention, comprising: a processor that receives a first image data sequence comprising a plurality of fluorescence images of the tissue before the surgical intervention, wherein the first image data sequence encompasses at least one full phase angiography cycle of blood flow through the tissue; receives a second image data sequence comprising a plurality of fluorescence images of the tissue after the surgical intervention, wherein the second image data sequence encompasses at least one full phase angiography cycle of blood flow through the tissue; and synchronizes the first and second image data sequences based on peak fluorescence intensities of average intensity vs. time curves of the first and second image data sequences to align at least a portion of the full phase angiography cycle of the first image data sequence with the corresponding portion of the full phase angiography cycle of the second image data sequence; and a display for displaying the synchronized image data sequences on a display.
 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the full angiography cycle of blood flow comprises an arterial phase, a microvascular phase, and a venous phase, and the processor synchronizes the first and second image data sequences by correlating, between the first and second image data sequences, at least one of the arterial phase, microvascular phase, and venous phase.
 15. The system of claim 13, wherein the processor synchronizes the first and second image data sequences by calculating a correlation coefficient at each alignment time position and synchronizing the first and second image data based on the largest correlation coefficient.
 16. The system of claim 13, wherein the tissue is a blood vessel and the processor determines relative blood flow in the vessel before and after the surgical intervention by comparing relative fluorescence intensity between the synchronized first and second image data sequences.
 17. The system of claim 13, wherein the processor determines relative perfusion in the tissue before and after the surgical intervention at least in part by estimating the perfusion level based on average fluorescence intensity above a threshold.
 18. The system of claim 17, wherein the processor determines relative perfusion in the tissue by at least in part by estimating the number of image pixels having fluorescence intensity above the threshold. 